Controversy: Greece maintains tax increase on online casinos

New tax rates for online winnings

The new scheme, in force from July 1, 2026, establishes a rate of 20% for prizes between 100 and 500 euros, compared to the previous 15%. For winnings over 500 euros, the tax went from 20% to 30%. Meanwhile, prizes of up to 100 euros remain exempt.

The changes exclusively affect online casino games, including slots and poker. Sports betting remains under a separate tax regime.

Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis had announced the reform on March 23, 2026, and estimated that it would generate approximately €100 million additional per year. According to the official, the resources will contribute to financing public services and measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the increase in the cost of living.

The government rules out mass migration to illegal operators

Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias rejected industry warnings about the possibility of a higher tax burden incentivizing players to use unlicensed platforms.

The official said that the authorities evaluated possible changes in consumer behavior before implementing the reform. To do this, they analyzed data from operators and the sensitivity of demand to tax modifications.

The government argues that the growth of casinos and online poker justifies a greater contribution of the sector to public finances. In addition, it considers that the tax increase should be complemented with stricter controls on illegal activities.

Tax revenues increased by 27.3%

Data released in October shows that taxes withheld on gambling winnings reached €369 million between January and August 2026. The figure represents a growth of 27.3% compared to the 290 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

In those eight months, gross gaming revenue (GGR) increased by 4.2% to €2.06 billion. On the other hand, revenues corresponding to state participation in gaming operations grew by 7.9%, reaching 484.5 million euros.

However, these statistics reflect the overall performance of the market and do not allow us to determine how much of the increase in revenue corresponds specifically to the new tax rates introduced in July.

Greece tightens controls against illegal gambling

Tax policy is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the regulated market and combat unauthorized gambling operations.

In this context, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) was given greater oversight and enforcement powers, including expanded powers to block websites, investigate illegal activities and impose sanctions.

In October, the agency also promoted a call to incorporate 40 additional professionals through secondment. Among them are seven specialists in information technology, aimed at strengthening the inspection and control tasks of an increasingly digitized market.

The legislative framework established by Law 5313/2026 provides for significant economic and criminal sanctions. Depending on the offense, administrative fines can reach €2 million, while certain crimes related to illegal gambling can receive prison sentences of at least ten years.

Penalties can also reach companies, individuals, affiliates, influencers, and advertising networks that promote or facilitate unlicensed gambling activities.

The challenge of maintaining the competitiveness of the regulated market

Despite the official defense, the increase in tax pressure raises questions about the competitiveness of authorized operators and the ability of the regulated market to retain its users.

For businesses, the new rates represent higher costs and can influence their business strategies, promotions, and loyalty policies. They also require adjustments to the tax calculation and withholding systems to ensure compliance with the thresholds set by Greek law.

The challenge for the authorities will be to balance tax collection with the protection of the legal market. If the cost difference between licensed platforms and unlicensed alternatives widens, the government could face new difficulties in keeping players within the regulated circuit.

For the time being, Greece maintains that the additional revenues justify the reform and that the risk of migration to illegal operators was contemplated. The actual impact of the measure will depend on the evolution of consumer behaviour, the performance of companies and the effectiveness of EEEP controls.